Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In the Solomon Islands, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) oversees all levels of education, with management responsibilities shared between the central government, Education Authorities, and schools. Education Authorities may include provincial governments, religious organisations, or private providers. MEHRD coordinates and supports education services in collaboration with these authorities under the 2014 Solomon Islands Education Act.
MEHRD provides funding to Education Authorities through bi-annual grants. A National Education Board, appointed by MEHRD, advises on the grant allocation process, while Sub-national Education Boards, appointed by the National Board, provide recommendations on education matters at the provincial level. According to Article 50 of the 2014 Solomon Islands Education Act, the level of the grant may be determined by factors such as enrolment, location, school fees and financial contributions, educational outcomes, and the relative needs of the school and its community.
As part of the grant process, provincial authorities must submit Work Plans to MEHRD. The Ministry develops the Education Authority Annual Work Plan in coordination with local communities and provincial education offices, reflecting the specific needs of individual schools. Funds are released to provincial governments quarterly, conditional on the submission of satisfactory financial accounts for the previous quarter.
Education Authorities and schools are responsible for managing and ensuring the accountability of funds. In line with the Education Act, the head teacher and the School Committee, working together with the community, prepare and implement the school’s operational budget and may raise additional funds to support school activities.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The primary mechanism for transferring funds from the central government to local governments and primary and secondary schools is the School Grants Code, established under the 2008 Policy Statement and Guidelines for Grants to Education Authorities. MEHRD allocates funds in consultation with the National Education Board, taking into account student enrolment, geographic location, and school needs, as set out in the 2014 Solomon Islands Education Act. Article 50 of the Act specifies that the annual grant amount for each school or category of school is determined by MEHRD based on these factors and the relative needs of the school and its community. The Minister is also required to publish a comprehensive set of requirements covering the administration, auditing, and financial accountability of school grants, known as the School Grants Code. A copy of the School Grants Code is not publicly available online.
2. Education resources to schools
School Grants Code
The 2024 Education Funding Code sets out the detailed funding structure for general grants allocated to primary and secondary schools for 2024 and the years that follow. In line with Schedule 1 of the Code, primary and secondary education providers receive a general grant disbursed twice a year. The amount granted to each school is determined by a formula that considers the level of education provided, the number of students enrolled, and the school’s geographic location.
3. Education resources to students and families
Equity and Inclusion Framework
The Solomon Islands education framework places strong emphasis on inclusive access, financial equity, and child protection to ensure that all students and families benefit from quality education. Under the 2023 Education Act, Division 4, Parts 57 and 58 of the Education Regulation require education providers to implement schemes that support financially disadvantaged children and families through fee waivers, subsidies, and flexible payment arrangements. However, while the Education Act 2023 and its accompanying Administrative Instructions and Regulations set out these obligations, they do not allocate specific financial resources to promote inclusivity and equitable access.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
No government-funded social protection programme in the Solomon Islands has been identified as directly providing resources to students or their families. However, international organisations have undertaken efforts to develop or pilot cash transfer initiatives aimed at supporting children. In 2020, Save the Children Australia conducted a study assessing the feasibility of cash transfers to assist children living in poverty, and in 2022, Oxfam piloted its UnBlocked cash transfer initiative in two communities.
5. School meal programmes
The Solomon Islands Government does not currently operate a formal school meal policy or programme. While the National Food Security, Food Safety and Nutrition Policy 2024–2029 seeks to improve overall public health and nutrition, it does not include enforceable provisions specific to schools. The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development has not issued any guidelines for school meal initiatives.
Boarding schools receive grants with the expectation that 60% of the funds be allocated to food and related expenditure categories, but this allocation is not dedicated solely to nutrition and is shared across multiple budget areas. Outside the boarding context, no grant support exists for school meals from Early Childhood Education through to High School. The provision of meals for students in these settings remains the sole responsibility of parents and guardians.
This profile was reviewed by Ms. Grace Zimateko Rohoana, Solomon Islands National University.
